Colombia 1-0 Jamaica: Hard-fought victory sets up last-8 clash with England
Colombia will face England in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup after a hard-fought and well-deserved 1-0 victory over Jamaica.
The first half was slow with no team holding possession long enough for any meaningful chances. But in the second half, Colombia’s captain Catalina Usme curled home the goal in the 51st minute.
It was the first goal Jamaica had conceded all tournament. It also marks the first time Colombia have reached the last-8 of the Women’s World Cup.
Colombia will be looking to go one step further when they face England at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Saturday (11:30 BST). The winner of the match will book their spot in the semi-finals.
This game marked the new generations with both sides having young and vibrant players. But the first half was somewhat stagnant, with the only decent chance coming in at the 38th minute when Linda Caicedo fired a shot over the bar on the turn from six yards.
Colombia’s teenage sensation Caicedo has been one of the breakout stars of the tournament but it was another 18-year-old who set the winner in motion.
Ana Maria Guzman was making her first World Cup start in place of suspended full-back Manuela Vanegas.
The absence of Vanegas, who scored the winner in the victory over Germany, was the cause of much pre-match worry among Colombian media.
But they need not have worried as Guzman produced a moment of magic, a brilliant deep cross from the left which Usme brought down and buried in the far corner.
Colombia should have made the game safe but Caicedo was denied by Jamaica keeper Becky Spencer following a counter-attack before Leicy Santos hit the post late on.